Where is palliative care provided

Numerous studies show that palliative care significantly improves patient quality of life and lowers symptom burden. Apart from being the right thing to do for patients, this improved quality of life also means that an encounter with the health care system is less stressful and traumatic for families. Studies consistently show improvements in both quality measures and resource utilization once palliative care is introduced. Visit The Case for Palliative Care for more detail.

The field of palliative care has shown stunning growth over the last 15 years. We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful, and to better understand how they are used. You can read more and make your cookie choices here. If you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, you may benefit from palliative care. You can have palliative care at any point in your illness. Search the Palliative Care Provider Directory to find it near you.

Then speak to your doctor, and ask for it. Bring the handout with you! What Is Palliative Care? Definition Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness.

EN ES. Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Because palliative care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:. Palliative care is a family-centred model of care, meaning that family and carers can receive practical and emotional support.

Palliative care is for people of any age who have been told that they have a serious illness that cannot be cured. Palliative care assists people with illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease and end-stage kidney or lung disease to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

For some people, palliative care may be beneficial from the time of diagnosis with a serious life-limiting illness. Palliative care can be given alongside treatments given by other doctors. Palliative care may be provided by a wide range of people, this may include your GP, aged care worker, cardiologist and any other health care provider, as do family and other carers.

They are supported by specialist palliative care services if symptoms become difficult to manage. Palliative care is provided where the person and their family wants, where possible.

This may include:.